How to innovate with Aristotle

Based on How to Innovate: An Ancient Guide to Creative Thinking, by Aristotle, translated by Armand D’Angour. Full book series here.

νέα ἐϕ’ ἡμέρῃ ϕρονέοντϵς
(Thinking new thoughts every day)
—Democritus, 5th century BCE

Turns out, the word “innovation” ain’t new at all. It’s earliest known use is in Greek (of course): kainotomia, and is found in a fifth century BCE comic play by Aristophanes. Funny, since the Greeks are often (and falsely) said not to have been innovators.

Armand D’Angour, the trans...